The Most Solemn Moment.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 17, 7 September 1914, Page 5

The Most Solemn Moment.

‘‘THIS IS A WAR OF NATIONS, NOT OF ARMIES.”

“IT IS A FIGHT TO A FINISH.”

(Bt Electric [United Press [Association.]

(Eeceived 8.0 a.m.)

Loudon, September 6

Lord Rosebery, at a recruiting meeting at Broxburn, Liulitbgowp''Skid::.“The present is perhaps d more solemn moment than any in the history of the world. ' The war is due to a sparjs iamidst a great powder magazine,'which the IS at ions of Europe have been building -up for twenty years. If some great organiser planned this war, the curses of humanity will pursue* him to the end* If we had allowed Germany to violate .the Belgian treaty, how long should we have endured seeing oppression and the slaughter of a' small but; i gallant people:in/defence of their territory which we had guaranteed? We/Should, have gone in, but too late, and we woulj| only have had the remorse of our first hesitation. This is a war of nations not of armies, and the British nation will not be able to stand aloof, for we are fighting for the saucitity of public law in Europe. If our armies be conquered, we are destroyed for ever. Make no mistake! This war will not he ended by the cession of territory and money as indemnity. it is a fighr, to a finish. If we go under now, we go under for ever. 1 don’t suggest for a moment that Britain is going under, but, if not, every man capable of defending his country is hound to step into the breach. If we are reduced to an inferior power f and to living at the goodwill of a superior lord with our /Empire cut up and divided among the''plunderers, I would rathter that all British pe'ople us we now .exist were to pass cl<?btli 'leaving this island, Vuchiit for some superior yace,’,’, ’. j. ," j,.;;

i nr'PiH;‘ ,i ,v e '" • . , . * ! Lord Kostdiery concluded : “But we,are going, to win, because the people are as united as they never were before, and because the Overseas Dominions vie with each other in generous emulation as to which shall give us most support in supplies, money, and men.”